Lee signed a six-year extension Wednesday worth as much as $51 million including a $10 million signing bonus according to a source. The base value of the deal is $42 million. He will make a $630000 base salary in 2013 and will have base salaries of $5.5 million (2014) $2.5 million ('15) and $3 million ('16) with $7 million base salaries from 2017 to 2019.

With 80 percent play time during the next two years Lee can earn an extra $1.5 million on his 2015 base salary that is guaranteed. From 2016 to 2019 he can earn an extra $7.5 million toward his base salaries with 80 percent play time in the previous years.

Lee a second-round pick in 2010 is poised to become the Cowboys' defensive version of tight end Jason Witten. Coach Jason Garrett has called Lee the "bell cow" on defense as a leader and when healthy one of the most productive defensive players in the NFL. Lee's approach work ethic and love of football is the same as that of Witten an eight-time Pro Bowler and the Cowboys' all-time leading receiver.